Stanford loses Ben Gardner for the season

STANFORD -- Stanford's defense got more bad news Tuesday ahead of its Pac-12 showdown against No. 2 Oregon: Defensive end Ben Gardner will miss the remainder of the season because of a chest muscle injury.

The fifth-year senior is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the damaged muscle.

Gardner, an all-conference second-team performer the past two seasons, left last week's game at Oregon State in the third quarter and did not return. Coach David Shaw said the injury occurred because of "bad body position at the wrong time."

Shaw added that Gardner had been in pain for the past month but the latest injury was unrelated to other issues.

No. 6 Stanford's defensive line has been without its other starting end, Henry Anderson, since mid-September.

But Shaw said that the 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior could return for the Oregon game Nov. 7 at Stanford Stadium.

Anderson has started individual drills, but coaches won't know if he can play until he practices next week.

"The people who take his place on the field need to feel his presence," Shaw said.

But Stanford knows it will be difficult to contain the Oregon Express without its big ends.

"If we're not fully manned, it's ridiculously difficult," Shaw said. "You've got to be healthy or these guys can make you look bad."

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Coaches might have to simplify the defensive-line schemes if Anderson can't play. They would rely on experience elsewhere on defense.

That's OK with linebacker A.J. Tarpley.

"If that's the burden we need to take on, so be it," he said. "We want teammates to lean on us."

Gardner plans to pursue an NFL career, he said in an open letter sent through the school's communications office.

"Although this injury will undoubtedly make my transition to professional football more challenging, I have never been one to back down from a challenge, and I like my chances," Gardner said. "People have doubted me for my entire career and they will continue to do so, but I trust that my experiences at Stanford have put me in a position where I cannot fail."

Fullback Ryan Hewitt didn't hesitate when asked what Stanford needs to do to improve its flagging offense.

"I would run the ball more, the kind of game that we hung our hat on," he said. "We should line up and hit them in the mouth. Get away from fancy passing."

Hewitt wasn't questioning the coaching staff.

"I have a bias," he said. "I like being on the field."

Hewitt is glad to play the Ducks at home instead of Autzen Stadium, where "you can't hear yourself think."

Added Hewitt, "It will be nice having them in the 'Library.' "

Linebacker Trent Murphy has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award that honors the defensive player of the year.

Murphy, who was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, is ranked fourth nationally with 9﻿1/2 sacks and tied for seventh with 13 tackles for a loss.

Staff writer Jon Wilner contributed to this report. Contact Elliott Almond at 408-920-5865. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/elliottalmond.